Nude At The Bottom of the Grand Canyon – Nude Raft Trips

Grand – and magnificent, splendid, glorious, superb, impressive, awe-inspiring, majestic. It is impossible to be in the depths of the Grand Canyon and believe that the word “grand” says it all.

I have traveled with other nude passengers all 280 miles of Colorado River from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead. I have been in the majority of the stunning (and all different) side canyons. I have also made shorter trips to be hauled out by chopper at Whitmore Wash. Each trip is unique.

The rafts splash through numerous rapids. The water is cold and deep and swift. Or they float along in serenely where only the descending call of the canyon wren can be heard. Or they pull up to a campsite for the night next to the warm water of a side stream.

The canyon bighorn sheep are unafraid of the rafts. The stars are endless. It is a spiritual experience and one that should not be adulterated.

Teddy Roosevelt perhaps said it best on January 11, 1908, when he stated, “Let this great wonder of nature remain as it now is. You cannot improve on it. But what you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you, as the one great sight which every American should see.”

If you would like to experience the great wonder of nature – and do so naturally – there are nude raft trips planned. Simply send a message to bbprice@aol.com and ask for information. Please put “Grand Canyon Raft Trip” in the subject line.

Since 1998, people everywhere have been laughing and cheering their way through every moment of the off-Broadway hit Naked Boys Singing. Orlando, Florida producer Tim Evanicki is overseeing a national tour of the international hit musical revue.

We asked Tim Evanicki, Producer of Naked Boys Singing, about the show.

How would you describe, in one sentence, Naked Boys Singing?

A fun escape that pokes fun and celebrates the powers and insecurities that come along with being naked.

What can we expect to see in Naked Boys Singing?

Six guys, sixteen songs, and no clothes – a winning combination!

Who comes to see Naked Boys Singing?

Everyone. Some of our best audiences have been full of straight women. We even had a special performance for a 90th Birthday Celebration for the most wonderful lady in Orlando. So much fun!

What can you tell us about the Naked Boys Singing tour?

The tour is just part of several productions of Naked Boys Singing that will be produced around the country by Tim Evanicki Productions and Ronnie Larsen Presents. The tour cast is soon traveling to Atlanta and Rochester, NY, while we open a sit-down production in Orlando, FL.

Other sit-down (non-touring) productions are being planned for Chicago and Boston.

All in all, there will be 3-4 casts of Naked Boys Singing!

What surprises people the most about Naked Boys Singing?

After the first song, the nudity is no longer shocking. No one believes us when we say that until they see the show. People buy their first ticket for the nudity. They come back for the spectacular singing and dancing!

Conclusion:

We enjoyed the 2007 film of Naked Boys Singing and we are looking forward to seeing this version in person in Orlando.

In the 1800’s, paddle-wheelers were described as floating palaces. Today, in Branson, Missouri, you can experience the joy of exploring the beautiful Table Rock Lake on a majestic paddle-wheeler named The Showboat Branson Belle while enjoying a multi-course dinner and a show!

The showboat is the ultimate vacation experience, a cruise, a meal and a show all in one!

What is your role at The Showboat Branson Belle?

I am similar to a cruise director acting to welcome guest, make their experience as worry free as possible, introduce our amazing performers, and of course entertain.

What acts perform on The Showboat Branson Belle?

Cassandre is our featured female vocalist, the five member Showmen, dance group Rhythm, the Rockin’ Dockers band and of course me as host and comedian.

What do you love most about performing on The Showboat Branson Belle?

Every show is a new experience for me because I interact with the audience so much. No two cruises are ever the same.

In your opinion, why are Branson and its attractions so popular?

Variety! Branson truly does offer something for everyone. It has changed so much on the past few years and continues to evolve.

Our thoughts:

We enjoyed our dinner cruise aboard the $8 million Showboat Branson Belle. Whether we were enjoying the food, comedy, magic, music and dancing or roaming the decks for the 360 views of Table Rock Lake, our dinner cruise experience was unique, relaxing and entertaining.
Christopher James is the perfect host / emcee for the show, He seems to enjoy every second of his time on stage and interacting with the audience.

“This is how we do salad. Take that Olive Garden!” he boasted humorously as salads were served to dinner guests.

His “Yes No” audience participation game – somewhat like the Simon Says game of your childhood – had the audience both laughing and cheering.

Featured female vocalist Cassandré Faimon-Haygood is comfortable belting out tunes from “Downtown” and “Feelin’ Groovy” while wearing white, knee high go-go boots to joining with The Showmen for a selection of twenty-seven songs in nine minutes and even some Disney tunes.

The Rhythm clogging and dance group is known as The Fastest Feet West of the Mississippi.

We enjoyed our dinner cruise aboard The Showboat Branson Belle. If you are a fan of dinner theater entertainment or historic ship replicas, make sure you visit this Branson, Missouri tourist and local favorite.

We spent the night in a spooky hotel complete with a ghost tour. We strolled the historic streets and spoke with award winning artists. We enjoyed delicious meals ranging from upscale to something called ArkMex.

We had dinner with Eureka Springs Mayor Robert Dale “Butch” Berry. This is what he told us about Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

In one sentence, how would you describe Eureka Springs?

Eureka Springs, clinging to limestone walls, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by water, is a vibrant, authentic and historic cultural “island” in Northwest Arkansas known for its arts, architecture and culinary uniqueness.

How is Eureka Springs unique in architecture, dining and lodging?

Eureka Springs is the only town which has been listed in its entirety by its (1969) city limits on the National Register of Historic Places with National Significance.

Area restaurants can satisfy anyone’s appetite with everything from down-home Southern classics to romantic, candlelit dinners. With over 80 restaurants in the area that has award-winning restaurants serving savory Czech-German dishes, authentic Italian cuisine and spicy East Indian fare. You’ll find Mediterranean, Chinese, Irish, Mexican, Cajun, and Thai as well. You can also enjoy lunch or dinner on a dining car at Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.

When it comes to lodging, cozy up in a downtown B&B, historic hotels, modern motel, a romantic private suite or cottage, or a cabin in the woods. And if you want to spend the night in a treehouse or with a lion or tiger in your backyard, we have that too!

How has Eureka Springs become such a home for talented artists and a destination for art lovers?

Artists have been flocking to Eureka Springs since the early 1920’s to live in naturally creative setting free from distraction and rich with inspiration.

Louis and Elsie Freund started the ‘art colony’ phenomenon in the 40’s when they opened an art school in Eureka. As nationally known WPA muralists and artists, the Freund’s attracted folks from around the country. They also organized some of the first art fairs and artisan workshops in the area.

Quickly, galleries opened downtown, art festivals were born. The May Festival of the Arts will celebrate 30 years in 2017!

Today, we have over 48 galleries, more than 350 working artists, the Eureka Springs School of the Arts, Opera in the Ozarks, Melonlight Dance Theater, Eureka Springs Plein Air Festival and the Eureka Springs Artist Studio Tour, to name a few.

Artists like to live where other artists live and visitors appreciate their craft – Eureka Springs is that place.

How is Eureka Springs a destination for family travel?

Deep in the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a family paradise just brimming with activities – The Great Passion Play, one of the nation’s largest large cat sanctuaries, Turpentine Creek, and a Zipline over our valleys.

The city has over 63 springs and is surrounded by two rivers and three lakes with great fishing, smooth water for canoe or kayak floats, boating, jet skiing and paddle boarding.

Plus a 1600-acre city park, one of the largest city parks in the US, twice as large as Central Park, that is crisscrossed with 25 miles of hiking and biking trails and then there are several caves in the area available for touring.

Over 1.3 million visitors a year agree!

How is Eureka Springs a destination for LGBT travel?

Eureka Springs is the only city in Arkansas with a full non-discrimination ordinance clearly stating that Eureka Springs embraces equality, diversity and welcomes EVERYBODY.

Eureka Springs celebrates the LGBT community several times a year with Diversity Weekends.

Many of the galleries, restaurants, lodging and shops are LGBT owned.

Eureka Springs understands that equality and diversity are good for business, quality of life and essential for the arts, culture and entrepreneurial growth of Eureka Springs

Conclusion:

If the word eureka means “I’ve found it,” then Eureka Springs, Arkansas may be the most perfectly named city in the USA.

Liberty Suites in Dania Beach has been our favorite south Florida gay resort for years. Now rebranded as Liberty Garden Suites with a new look and focus, we know it will be a success with gay travelers looking for gay owned and operated accommodations just minutes from Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport and the world-famous clothing-optional Haulover Beach.

We chatted with owners Joe Van Eron and Jack Zimmerman.

How would you describe Liberty Garden Suites in one sentence?

We are sure you will love our unique “Piece of Tropical Paradise” with attractive, immaculately clean, turn key, self-catering accommodations, and the company of our Gentlemen Guests.

What makes Liberty Garden Suites unique?

We are centrally located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in Historic Dania Beach, just 5 minutes south of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, and are the closest Gay Accommodation to the World Famous Nude Beach at Haulover. Everyday conveniences of markets, restaurants & shops are within blocks, and we are short 15-20 minute drive to all Gay Greater Fort Lauderdale & Wilton Manors Nightlife and Attractions, as well as 5 Casinos including the new Casino @ Dania Beach..

The entire property is lushly landscaped and offers clothing optional sundeck, outdoor living room, patio dining with BBQ, Hot Tub/Spa, complimentary laundry facility and private off street parking. Each apartment is uniquely decorated, has private adjoining outdoor patio space, all with full kitchens and perfectly set up with all the amenities for vacation or longer term “Home Away from Home” Stays.

How would you describe your guests?

There are so few properties left that still offer a safe secure and private environment for exclusively Gay Vacation Rentals….our clients remain mostly mature, retired, well educated, successful and upscale Gay Men, singles and couples….which we believe there is a continued market, mostly with the aging boomers… as you know the Gay travel world has substantially changed, especially with the younger generations…the vacation rental market has exploded with Airbnb, Home Away, and the hundreds of other sites….and they no longer have to be so protective as we did in the early years and travel to large cites with Gay populations and Gay villages, and stay in safe Gay Guesthouses, and patronize strictly gay bars and restaurants….which I think is just wonderful…especially when I remember that I got my first apartment in Manhattan in January of 1969, 6 months before the Stonewall riots… “WE’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY !!”

Do you have any upcoming specials or packages?

Currently we are offering Summer Specials with rates as low as $79/Night and $495/Week….through September 30th …and as always during the off peak season we continue to accommodate longer term relocation stays as we remain an affordable and more pleasant alternative for those relocating in or out of the area, as well as extended business stays…and as Always, Pet Welcome.